A Message from the Deputy Director

Thank you for visiting the Community Development Department web site. I hope the information provided informs you of the many services available and assist in responding to your questions. I am always looking to improve how we do business. Should you have an idea as to how I can improve our services to you, please share your thoughts with me. I can be reached at (562) 383-4100. Should I not be available, please leave a message and I will contact you within one business day.

Sincerely,

Carlos Jaramillo
Deputy Director of Community Development

About the Division

Community Development is comprised of specific Divisions that include Administration, Planning, Building and Safety, Code Enforcement, Economic Development, and Housing. The Community Development Department is integral to the City’s comprehensive approach for coordinated efforts in addressing community and regional development issues in growth management and environmental quality. Community Development is structured to coordinate and provide technical assistance on issues of current and future land development to the City Council, Planning Commission, Successor Agency, Housing Authority, various other Commissions, and the public. It is the Department’s mission to provide this assistance in a highly professional and customer service oriented manner. The Community Development Administrative Division oversees the activities performed by the Divisions that make up the Community Development Department. The Administrative Division also oversees and coordinates the Department budget.

2016-2017 Accomplishments

For the calendar year 2016, the Building and Safety Division issued 2,079 permits, with a construction valuation of $102,385,701.

Code Enforcement received electronically submitted requests for service through Contact La Habra. The average response time to conduct an inspection and to issue a notice of violation was less than three days.

Code Enforcement, in partnership with LHPD, has successfully closed down) 6 illegal massage parlors, and assisted the California Massage Therapy Council in revoking the business owner’s license.

Through the use four full-time inspectors, the City has been able to provide Code Enforcement services seven days per week throughout the year.

Conducted a Top 25 Business Luncheon.

Created a Fair Housing program for April Fair Housing month.

Hosted National CDBG Week activities for projects and programs.

Participated in ICSC 2016-2017 Regional Conferences.

Held the 2nd Annual Community Development Open House.

Created a Request for Proposals for the City’s Marketing and Branding of economic services.

Working with multiple landowners through the Economic Development Division on redeveloping/revitalizing properties including the vacant portion of the former Contractor’s Warehouse site along Imperial Highway.

Completed the inspections and issued the final occupancy permits for 30 of the 32-unit single family development at the former Don Steves Chevrolet site.

Continued the process of updating the Zoning Code for consistency with the adopted General Plan.

Participated in overseeing the construction of the new City Hall building at 100-120 East La Habra Boulevard.

Reviewed plans for the development of 72 residential units on the former City Hall and Post Office Site.

Completed the 5,000 Square foot addition to the Community Center.

Approved development projects for the improvement of the properties on Whittier Boulevard between Beach Boulevard and Hacienda Boulevard to include a Chase Bank, Starbucks, Auto Zone and In-N-Out Burger restaurant.

Approved the redevelopment and operation of the new Northgate Market at Whittier Boulevard and Idaho Street.

Approved plans for the redevelopment and operation of a new Harbor Freight in the former “Big Lots!” building at Harbor Boulevard and La Habra Boulevard.

Approved plans for the development of an Aldi Market at 1001 East Imperial Highway.

Approved a 50 unit condominium project by the Olsen Company for the site at 1801 West La Habra Boulevard.

The City received a CDBG Grant of $736,457 for the program year 2016-2017. The funds are being used for Administration of the grant (20%), Housing Programs (58%), Public Facility Improvements (6.2%) and Public Services (15%).